Dental imperfections can deny people the ability to smile and laugh with confidence. For instance, if you have a cracked, chipped, or discolored tooth, you may lack the confidence you need to have a good time with the people you meet.
The good news is that there are several cosmetic dental procedures you can go for to solve this problem. Dental bonding is an example of a cosmetic dental treatment that might allow you to flash your beautiful teeth once again. But what is dental bonding, and what does it entail?
Here is everything you need to know about dental bonding.
What Is Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding, also known as teeth bonding or composite bonding, is a cosmetic dental procedure used to enhance the appearance of teeth using a tooth-colored composite resin material. Dentists use several techniques to apply the resin material to the affected teeth, which consequently alters the shape, color, and size of the teeth.
In the end, the treatment should give you a more beautiful and confident smile in addition to making your teeth look stronger. As such, dental bonding has many aesthetic and functional benefits.
Issues That Dental Bonding Can Resolve
Dental bonding is one of the most common cosmetic dental treatments offered in the United States. This can be explained by the fact that it is effective in resolving a wide range of dental imperfections.
Indeed, dental bonding can be used to:
- Conceal cracks and chips on a tooth
- Fill cavities
- Change the shape of a tooth
- Make a tooth look longer and wider
- Camouflage a discolored tooth
The Ideal Candidate for Dental Bonding
The ideal candidate for dental bonding should generally have healthy teeth. The root of the affected tooth should be in perfect condition and its enamel must be intact. If you have other serious dental problems, they will have to be treated before you can start thinking of dental bonding for cosmetic purposes.
What Dental Bonding Entail
Your dental bonding procedure will be done in your dentist’s office, and it should take about an hour or less. Your dentist will begin by selecting the right color of resin material to match the color of your natural teeth. This will make it impossible for people to notice the difference between the treated tooth and the rest of your teeth. The dentist will then roughen the surface of the tooth and apply a conditioning liquid to make the resin material stick easily.
After preparing your tooth and the resin material to be used, your dentist will apply the resin material and mold it to the appropriate shape. The composite resin will then be cured using a special kind of light. Finally, your dentist will polish the tooth to give it a natural-looking shine.
Bonded Teeth Care
The results of dental bonding should be long-lasting. However, the longevity of the results will depend on how to take care of your teeth. Some of the steps you can take to keep your bonded teeth in good shape include:
- Avoid biting and chewing hard objects such as ice, fingernails, and pens
- Visit your dentist regularly for professional dental cleaning and checkups
- Brush your teeth after every meal or at least twice per day
- Floss every day
- Rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash a couple of times every day
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Bonding
Is Dental Bonding Painful?
Dental bonding is generally painless. This is because the procedure does not get close to the pain-sensing nerves. Therefore, anesthesia is ordinarily not required during the procedure. However, some patients may experience tooth sensitivity for several days or weeks after the procedure. The good news is that this can easily be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
Does Dental Bonding Require Downtime?
Dental bonding does not require any downtime. Indeed, you can go back to your day-to-day activities straight from the dentist’s office.
Does a Bonded Tooth Require Any Special Care?
Taking care of your bonded tooth is not any different from how you take care of the rest of your teeth. You just need to brush, floss, and rinse every day. You also need to avoid biting or chewing objects that might damage your teeth or chip the resin material. For instance, you should avoid using your teeth to crack nuts or open bottles.
How Long Does Dental Bonding Last?
If you are thinking of going for dental bonding, you might be wondering how long the results will last. With proper care, dental bonding should last up to 10 years. Therefore, the bonding material will need to be retouched or replaced within a decade or so.
Can Dental Bonding Be Reversed?
Dental bonding does not alter the structure of a tooth at all. For instance, it does not require enamel removal. Therefore, dental bonding is not permanent, meaning that it can be reversed at any moment.
